EMPIRE STATE TRAIL - hudsongreenway.ny.gov

FINAL REPORT - AUGUST 2021

EMPIRE STATE TRAIL

EMPIRE STATE TRAILFINAL 2021 REPORTIn January 2017, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced creation of the Empire State Trail, a 750-mile

bicycle and walking trail spanning New York State, from Buffalo to Albany, and from New York City

through the Hudson and Champlain Valleys to Canada.

Over the past four years, New York State agencies and local government partners completed 58

trail construction projects across the state to develop new off-road “rail-trail” and “canalway trail”

segments, as well as make improvements to on-road route connections.

On December 30, 2020, Governor Cuomo announced the statewide Empire State Trail route is

complete and open for the public to enjoy – creating the longest state bicycling and walking trail in

the nation.

This report details the work completed to create the Empire State Trail, including construction

of more than 180 miles of new off-road trails to eliminate gaps and link previously existing but

disconnected trails. In addition, the New York State Department of Transportation improved 170

miles of on-road bicycle routes to enhance safety on rural roadways and city streets along the

Empire State Trail route, and more than 45 gateways and trailheads were created to welcome

visitors from across the state, the country, and the world.

Organizations and individuals seeking additional information can address questions to:

Empire State Trail Program

c/o Hudson River Valley Greenway

625 Broadway, 4th Floor

Albany, NY 12233-2995

[email protected]

(518) 473-3835

Additional information is available on New York State’s

Empire State Trail website:

www.empiretrail.ny.govThank you for your interest in the Empire State Trail.

Pictured on cover: New Maybrook Trailway in Putnam County

http://www.empiretrail.ny.gov

CREATING THE 750-MILE TRAIL ROUTE ..................................2

WAYFINDING SIGNAGE............................. ....................................8

GATEWAYS AND TRAILHEADS...................................................9

TRAIL USER ESTIMATES...............................................................11

FUTURE EMPIRE STATE TRAIL ENHANCEMENTS................13

THE EMPIRE STATE TRAIL.............................................................1

NEW TRAIL CONSTRUCTION......................................................3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Gateway at Buffalo Harbor State Park on Lake Erie celebrates the Empire State Trail’s western endpoint.

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FINAL REPORT - JULY 2021

New York State celebrates boldness and diversity

– cultural, physical, social, geographic – and

provides experiences that weave these qualities

together.

The 750-mile Empire State Trail is the longest

state multi-use trail in the nation. But it’s more than

that – on a human level, the Trail connects visitors

to New York’s natural beauty, rich cultural heritage,

and unparalleled outdoor recreation opportunities.

The Empire State Trail provides New Yorkers

and visitors freedom and opportunity to explore

and embrace New York’s special places, diverse

history, and iconic landscapes. The Trail promotes

healthy lifestyles and provides a place for friends

and families to experience everything the Empire

THE EMPIRE STATE TRAIL

State has to offer by connecting urban centers,

village main streets, and rural communities.

In 2017, Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New

York State Legislature appropriated $200 million

of state capital funds to create the Trail. The state

commitment leveraged almost $97 million of

additional funds from various federal, state, local,

and private sources – providing a total program

budget of $297 million.

In December 2020, Governor Cuomo announced

completion of the continuous 750-mile Empire

State Trail route. The trail welcomes bicyclists,

walkers, runners, and hikers of all ages and

abilities to get outdoors, exercise, and rejuvenate

their spirits in safe, welcoming settings.

Ribbon cutting at Wallkill Bridge in New Paltz, along the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail.

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Existing Trails: When the Empire State Trail was

launched in 2017, approximately 400 miles of

the Empire State Trail already existed in discrete,

disconnected segments.

Connectivity: The Empire State Trail constructed

180 miles of new off-road trails and made

bicycling improvements to the remaining on-

road connections, “closing the gaps” to create a

continuous 750-mile statewide route.

Off-Road: Wherever possible, the Trail is “off-

road,” utilizing historic railway routes (e.g. rail-

trails) and canal tow paths along sections of the

Erie and Champlain canals. Of the 550 miles from

Manhattan to Buffalo, 85% of the Empire State Trail

is an off-road, non-motorized route.

Multiple User Types: Typical trail construction

features a 10- to 12-foot wide asphalt or stonedust

surface with moderate grades, welcoming

walkers, runners, hikers, people pushing strollers,

and bicyclists of all abilities, from experienced

long-distance cyclists to family groups with

children just learning to ride.

Accessibility: The trail surface and associated

improvements are compliant with the Americans

with Disabilities Act, accessible to seniors and

visitors with mobility challenges.

The Trail is open dawn to dusk, 365 days each

year. Most of the trail is not plowed – winter

activities include hiking, snowshoeing, and

cross-country skiing as weather conditions allow.

Snowmobiling is allowed on several trail segments

in central New York and Washington County.

In areas where it’s not currently feasible to

create an off-road route, the Empire State

Trail route follows public roadways. On-road

sections are intended for experienced bicyclists

comfortable riding adjacent to vehicle traffic.

Spot improvements, such as marked crosswalks,

“Share the Road” signage and wider shoulders,

have been made at selected on-road locations.

Wayfinding: Wayfinding signage utilizing a

distinctive Empire State Trail logo and directional

arrows has been installed along the entire 750-

mile route, making it easy to follow the trail.

Online Trail Map: The Empire State Trail website

launched in October 2020. The “responsive”

website, which works seamlessly on desktop and

mobile devices, includes detailed descriptions

of each trail segment and an on-line map

allowing visitors to zoom in to see the precise

trail route, designated parking areas, and nearby

parks, historic sites, and tourism attractions.

www.empiretrail.ny.gov

CREATING THE 750-MILE TRAIL ROUTE

The Empire State Trail is a multi-use path designed to accommodate shared use by

pedestrians and bicyclists.

http://www.empiretrail.ny.gov

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NEW TRAIL CONSTRUCTIONTable 1: Hudson Valley Projects (listed south to north)

Project Name Mileage County(ies) Project Lead

EST Funding

($M)

Matching Funds ($M)

Match Source

Project Type

Van Cortlandt Park Path 1.7 Bronx NYC Parks - $2.76 NYC Parks New Trail

North/South County Trail Resurfacing 28.0 Westchester Westchester

County - $13.30

County Funds

Rehabilitation

North/South County Trail - Elmsford 1.0 Westchester Westchester

County - $2.70

County Funds

New Trail

North County Trail Route 100 Trail 1.0 Westchester NYSDOT Region 8

$1.22 $5.00 NYS Capital

Funds New Trail

Putnam-Maybrook Trailway Connection 1.0 Putnam Putnam County

- $3.00 NYS-CMAQ

Funds New Trail

Maybrook Trailway 23.0Putnam & Dutchess

MTA-MetroNorth

Railroad $42.06 - - New Trail

Hudson Valley Rail Trail - Resurfacing 1.0 Ulster Town of Lloyd - $0.20 NYS - RTP Rehabilitation

Hudson Valley Rail Trail - East Section 1.0 Ulster Town of Lloyd - $2.00 TAP/Local

Funds New Trail

Hudson Valley Rail Trail - Middle Section

0.9 Ulster Ulster County - $2.05 TAP/Local

Funds New Trail

Hudson Valley Rail Trail - West Section 2.8 Ulster NYSDOT Region 8

$6.81 $0.40 TEP/TAP New Trail/On-

Road

Wallkill Valley Rail Trail - Bridge Repair 0.1 Ulster Town of New

Paltz $0.20 $0.10 NYS Rehabilitation

Wallkill Valley Rail Trail Improvements 6.0 Ulster Open Space

Institute - $0.79

NYS EPF & RTP

Rehabilitation

Kingston Point Rail Trail 1.5 Ulster City of

Kingston - $2.00

City Funds & NYS EPF

New Trail

Hudson River Brickyard Trail 1.5 Ulster City of

Kingston $0.02 $1.38

City Funds & NYS EPF

New Trail

Kingston - Rhinecliff Bridge 2.8Ulster &

Dutchess NYS Bridge

Authority $1.50 $0.80

NYS Bridge Authority

New Sidewalk & On-Road

Section

Ulster & Dutchess On-Road Improvements

10.0Ulster &

Dutchess NYSDOT Region 8

$4.22 - -On-Road Sections

Tivoli Bays WMA Trail 1.2 Dutchess NYSDEC $0.35 - - New Trail

Columbia County On-Road Improvements

5.0 Columbia Columbia

County $0.28 - -

On-Road Sections

Columbia County On-Road Sections 20.5 Columbia NYSDOT Region 8


Schodack Island Wetland Project 0.0 Columbia NYS Parks $0.62 - - Trail Mitigation

Albany-Hudson Electric Trail 36.2Columbia & Rensselaer

Hudson River Valley Greenway

$46.40 $1.20 NYS Thruway

Authority New Trail

Watervliet - Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail

1.7 Albany City of

Watervliet - $2.18

NYS Local Projects

New Trail

Green Island Cannon St Connection 0.4 Albany Village of

Green Island - $0.51

State/Federal Grants

New Trail

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Table 2: Erie Canalway Projects (listed west to east)


EST Funding

($M)

Matching Funds ($M)

Match Source

Project Type

Erie and Niagara Improvements 5.7 Erie & Niagara NYSDOT Region 5

$1.37 $0.96 Ralph Wilson Foundation

New Trail & On-Road

Amherst to Lockport Canalway Trail 2.2 Erie & Niagara NYS Canal Corporation

$5.00 - - New Trail

Macedon O'Neil Rd Bridge 0.1 Wayne NYSDOT Region 4

$0.39 $3.87 NYS RTP New Trail

Newark Canalway Trail 1.6 Wayne Village of Newark

- $0.15 NYSCC Grant Rehabilitation

Lyons Trail Connection 1.0 Wayne Town of Lyons - $0.20 NYSCC Grant New Trail

Clyde Trail Connection 1.0 Wayne Village of

Clyde - $0.27 TEP New Trail

Galen Railroad Bridge 0.1 Wayne Wayne County

- $0.24 NYS Grants New Trail

Wayne County Canalway Trail 4.8 Wayne NYSDOT Region 4

$1.76 - - New Trail

Wayne County On-Road Improvements 5.3 Wayne NYSDOT Region 4


Camillus to NYS Fairgrounds Trail 3.5 Onondaga Honeywell Corporation

- $4.00 Private New Trail

Onondaga Loop the Lake Trail 3.3 Onondaga Onondaga

County - $8.00

TEP/Onondaga Co

New Trail

Syracuse On-Road Improvements 3.1 Onondaga NYSDOT Region 3


Erie Boulevard Trail 3.0 Onondaga NYSDOT Region 3

$23.88 - - New Trail

Old Erie Canal State Park (Dewitt to Canastota)

12.0Onondaga &

Madison NYS Parks $2.00 - - Rehabilitation

Old Erie Canal State Park (Canastota to Rome)

6.0Madison &

Oneida NYS Parks $0.12 $0.48 NYS RTP Rehabilitation

Rome Connection 2.4 Oneida City of Rome $0.05 Canals/Grants

New Trail/On-Road Sections

Utica to Dyke Road Canalway Trail 3.8Oneida & Herkimer

NYS Canal Corporation

$4.50 $6.59 NYSCC

Capital Funds New Trail

Dyke Rd to Frankfort On-Road Improvements

7.8 Herkimer NYSDOT Region 2

$0.87 - -On-Road Section

Frankfort to Ilion Canalway Trail 1.3 Herkimer NYS Canal Corporation

$2.94 $3.66 NYSCC


Ilion to Mohawk Canalway Trail 2.0 Herkimer NYS Canal Corporation

$2.65 $4.12 NYSCC


Ft. Herkimer Church to Lock E-18 Canalway Trail

2.0 Herkimer NYS Canal Corporation

- $6.00 NYSCC


Lock E-18 to Route 167 Canalway Trail 2.4 Herkimer NYS Canal Corporation

$2.72 $1.09 NYSCC


Amsterdam to Pattersonville Trail 5.6 Montgomery NYS Parks $0.50 $1.23 TEP/NY State

Parks New Trail

Pattersonville and Rotterdam Railroad Tunnels and Trail

2.0 Schenectady NYSDOT Region 1

$9.28 - - New Trail

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Table 3: Champlain Valley Projects (listed south to north)

Table 4: Statewide Projects


EST Funding

($M)

Matching Funds ($M)

Match Source

Project Type

Waterford - Champlain Canalway Trail 1.4 Saratoga Saratoga

County $0.36 - - New Trail

Halfmoon Trail Route 1.4 Saratoga Town of

Halfmoon $0.33 - -

On-Road Section

Schuylerville Trail Connection 1.5 Washington Town of Saratoga

$0.21 - - New Trail

Washington County - River Rd Improvements

3.9 Washington Washington

County $0.49 - -

On-Road Section

Fort Edward to New Swamp Rd Canalway Trail

3.8 Washington NYS Canal Corporation

$2.70 $1.80 NYSCC

Capital FundsNew Trail

New Swamp Rd to Fort Ann Canalway Trail

6.3 Washington NYS Canal Corporation

$0.58 $9.71 NYSCC

Capital FundsNew Trail

Fort Ann to Comstock Route 7.3 Washington NYSDOT Region 1

$2.04 - -New Trail &

On-Road

CCT Route On-Road Improvements 9.7 Saratoga & Washington

NYSDOT Region 1


Champlain Valley On-Road Improvements

110.6 Washington &

Essex NYSDOT Region 1


Champlain Valley On-Road Improvements

9.7 Clinton NYSDOT Region 7


Champlain Valley - Plattsburgh Route 0.1 Clinton NYSDOT Region 7



EST Funding

($M)

Matching Funds ($M)

Match Source Project Type

EST Gateways & Trailheads - StatewideHudson

River Valley Greenway

$2.35 $3.70 Wilson

Foundation Visitor

Amenities

Install EST Signage - Existing Trail Sections

400.0 StatewideHudson


$0.40 - -Wayfinding

Signage

Empire State Trail Project Management

- StatewideHudson


$6.60 - -Project

Management

Municipal Small Trail Projects - StatewideMultiple Entities

$0.11 - -Trail

Improvements

Various Small Projects - StatewideMultiple Entities

$2.00 - -Trail

Improvements

2021 Trail Resurfacing Projects - StatewideMultiple Entities

$6.15 - - Rehabilitation

Statewide Totals* 385.8 - - $200.00 $96.49 - -

*Mileage excludes signage of existing trails

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Construction started in May 2019 to create the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail (AHET Trail). The AHET Trail was completed in November 2020, running 36 miles from the City of Hudson in Columbia County to the City of Rensselaer, connecting to the Corning Preserve trail across the Hudson River in the City of Albany.

Winter trail scene in Rensselaer County (AHET Trail).

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Repurposed railway bridge – now part of the Black Bridge Trail along the Hudson River in Albany County.

Biking the Empire State Trail on the west side of Manhattan.

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WAYFINDING SIGNAGETo assist long-distance trail users, Empire State

Trail wayfinding signage and directional arrows

have been installed along the entire 750-mile

Empire State Trail route.

New Onondaga Loop the Lake Trail.

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More than 45 Empire State Trail Gateways and Trailheads have been created along the 750-mile route.

To promote public awareness and orient visitors,

New York State has constructed more than 45

Trailheads and Gateways at designated parking

areas along the trail. Most are located in state

and local parks near existing visitor amenities.

The Gateways and Trailheads include welcome

and orientation signage, maps of the trail route,

benches, bicycle racks, and self-service “fix-it”

stations.

EMPIRE STATE TRAIL GATEWAYS AND TRAILHEADS

Bicyclists at Corning Preserve EST Trailhead in Albany.Photo Credit: Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor.

EMPIRE STATE TRAILTRAILHEADS AND GATEWAYSJANUARY 2021

HUDSON

PALMYRA

NEW CASTLE

WESTPORT

FORT ANNPERINTON

BROCKPORT

WHITEHALL

LOCK 33

CANAL PARK

AMSTERDAM

NEW PALTZ

LYONS

TICONDEROGA

FORT EDWARD

ROUSES POINT

KEESVILLE

SCHUYLERVILLE

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS

MIDDLEPORT

VAN CORTLANDT PARK

HOPEWELL JUNCTION

HUDSON WALKWAY WEST

KINGSTON

HUDSON WALKWAY EAST

PLATTSBURGH

ALBANY

PEEBLES ISLAND

PORT BYRON

TONAWANDA

(NIAWANDA PARK)

HOLMES

BREWSTER

EAST GREENBUSHNASSAU LAKE

NASSAU

STOTTVILLE

KINDERHOOK

ROCHESTER/GENESEE VALLEY PARK

BATTERY PARK NYC

NYS FAIRGROUNDS

BUFFALO HARBOR STATE PARK

TONAWANDA GATEWAY

HARBOR PARK

LOCKPORT

CANAJOHARIE

DEWITT

POUGHQUAG

NIVERVILLE

STUYVESANT FALLS

ROME

ILION

Adirondack Park

Catskill Park

ROME

BUFFALO

ROCHESTER

UTICA

ALBANY

SYRACUSE AMSTERDAM

WHITEHALL

ROUSES POINT

PLATTSBURGH

POUGHKEEPSIE

NEW YORK CITY

SARATOGASPRINGS

KINGSTON

BREWSTER

ELMSFORD

HUDSON

DE WITTCAMILLUSLITTLE FALLS

PORT BYRON

CLYDE

HUDSON RIVER VALLEY

CHAMPLAIN VALLEY

ERIE CANALWAY TRAIL

EMPIRE STATE TRAIL

On-Road Bicycle Routes

O�-Road Rail Trails & Canalway Trails

Trailhead

Gateway

0 10 20 30 405Miles

N

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During the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, trail

visitation surged across New York State by 20

to 50 percent, as people flocked to trails to

exercise, enjoy nature, and rejuvenate their spirits.

Although precise numbers are not available,

visitation to the Empire State Trail certainly is

exceeding 10 million people annually.

The Trail User Projection, released in July 2018,

analyzed the question “How many people

will use the Empire State Trail annually?” The

report utilized a statistical analysis to generate a

projection of the number of walkers, runners, and

bicyclists that will utilize sample points along the

trail, to extrapolate a statewide visitor projection.

The 2018 study projected 8.6 million bicyclists,

walkers, and runners will visit the 750-mile Empire

State Trail annually. Trail usage is highest where

the trail passes through cities and suburban

population centers, but every segment of the

trail attracts significant visitation. Two-thirds of

trail users are walkers, runners, and hikers; with

bicyclists making up the remaining third. The full

User Projection Report is available on the Empire

State Trail website.

STATEWIDE TRAIL USE ESTIMATES

TOTAL BIKES 3,060,093

TOTAL PEDESTRIANS 5,589,607

TOTAL TRAIL USE 8,649,700

New trail constructed west of Little Falls in the Mohawk Valley.

Table 5: Statewide Trail Use Estimates

TRAIL USER ESTIMATES

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More than 10 million bicyclists, hikers, and runners are visiting the Empire State Trail each year.

Walkers enjoying the Empire State Trail in Albany.

New trail section connecting Camillus to the NYS Fairgrounds, west of Syracuse.

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1. TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS

Trail Resurfacing: The Empire State Trail initiative

built 180 miles of new trails, and improved 170

miles of on-road sections, to expand and link

400 miles of rail trails and canalway trails that

already existed prior to 2017. While most of the

400 miles of existing trails are in good condition,

some sections are showing their age and require

resurfacing. During 2021, NYS agencies and local

government partners are advancing 11 projects

that will rehabilitate a total of 50 miles of outdated,

deteriorating trail sections to ensure the entire

750-mile route provides a world-class visitor

experience.

Connectivity: While 85% percent of the 550-mile

route from New York City to Albany to Buffalo

is off-road trail, opportunities will arise to build

additional off-road connections to chip away at

the remaining trail gaps, as well as to develop

additional off-road Champlain Canalway Trail

sections from Waterford to Whitehall. New York

State administers a number of competitive grant

programs to assist local governments and non-

profits plan and construct additional off-road trails.

FUTURE EMPIRE STATE TRAIL ENHANCEMENTS

The statewide Empire State Trail was completed and opened to the public in December 2020. During 2021, New York State is advancing a variety of efforts to

further enhance and promote the trail.

2. TRAIL MARKETING AND PROMOTIONACTIVITIES

Tourism: New York State Parks, the NYS Canal

Corporation, the I Love New York program, and

other state agencies are collaborating to promote

public visitation to the trail. Marketing efforts will

evolve during 2021 and future years in response to

pandemic guidelines.

For example, State Parks partnered with the non-

profit Boilermaker Race organization to create a

virtual “Empire State Trail Challenge” from April

through July 2021, allowing participants to log

walking, running, and bicycling miles and track their

progress in completing Empire State Trail sections.

During the four-month Challenge, participants

cumulatively logged more than 150,000 total miles

bicycling, running, and hiking.

Online Maps: Enhancements are being designed to

the Empire State Trail website to allow mobile users

to see their location on the trail, generate driving

directions to trailhead parking areas, and provide

access to lodging information along the trail route.

Maps and Guidebooks: In response to public

requests, a foldable large-format map of the

statewide trail route will be printed in 2021, and the

Hudson River Valley Greenway is partnering with a

non-profit partner to create a detailed guidebook

for the Hudson and Champlain Valley trail sections.

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New bike-ped bridge over railroad tracks in Syracuse.

New trail along the Erie Canal / Mohawk River in Herkimer County.

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EMPIRE STATE TRAIL - hudsongreenway.ny.gov

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